As the weather cools, don't be surprised if you find yourself being warned about un colpo d'aria: literally a hit or blast of air, more colloquially a draft, and in the Italian imagination the cause of everything from a stiff neck to a headache to indigestion.

The term springs from the belief that sudden changes in temperature are bad for the health, and the closest equivalent in English would be the equally vague "chill" that your grandma always warned you about.

Common ways to fall victim (prendere un colpo d'aria) might include failing to wrap up warm as soon as the temperature drops below 25 degrees Celsius, leaving the house with wet hair, opening a window while sweaty or sitting too close to the air conditioning.

According to one Italian health site, symptoms can include: redness of the eyes, ear pain, muscle contractions and, for the especially unfortunate, un colpo di strega – literally "a strike of the witch", it describes a back strain, to which you might be extra vulnerable if you attempt any sudden movements while dangerously chilled by air.

The vast collection of symptoms attributed to chills explains why you might hear Italians specifying which part of their body is bearing the brunt.

Fear of the colpo d'aria also explains why you'll see Italians donning scarves and puffa jackets while those from cooler climates are still happily in shirt sleeves. Ever felt like you read a different weather forecast to the one your Italian friends seem to have dressed for? Now you know why.

Do you have a favourite Italian word, phrase or expression you'd like us to feature? If so, please email our editor Jessica Phelan with your suggestion.

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